Agreement Reached on DNA Database Bill

Legislation expected to pass Assembly and Senate this week

June 21, 2006

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) announced today that the Assembly and Senate have reached an agreement on legislation (A.11951/S.8446) expanding New York State’s DNA database to include all persons convicted of felonies and serious misdemeanors, as well as make important reforms and provide privacy safeguards. Lupardo is one of the sponsors of the legislation.

“Expanding New York’s DNA database to include all serious crimes will not only give New York the most extensive database in the nation, it will give police and prosecutors the resources they need to get violent criminals off our streets and put them behind bars,” said Lupardo.

The measure, expected to pass later this week, would approximately triple the size of the current DNA database by expanding it to include all persons convicted of felonies and 18 key misdemeanors- including petit larceny.

The wide range of misdemeanor convictions to be added to the database by the bill would include those that involve violence, threats of violence, menacing or stalking behavior or offenses against children, the said.